After looking at the results, there are 5 present conclusions and one recommendation.
1) We will continue to have Mass Wednesday evening once a month for faith formation.
2) Instead of having faith formation class right after school on only two of the Early Out school days, we will be having class right after school on all five Early Out days this school year.
3) The results were more positive than expected for The Meal. There were 15 out of the 24 saying they're willing to help with setup and cleanup. We are leaning in the direction of having The Meal once a month. For it to be pulled off well, there will need to be some good planning. We'll keep you posted when or if we do it. It will take more than a bit of work.
4) Class after school or in the evening? As you can see it is split down the middle. 9 responded one way and 9 the other, and 6 indifferent. Only 2 were willing to teach at the 3:30 time and we need at least 5 or 6. There were 3 willing to teach the 6:30 time which would then be the more likely if we continue.
5) The openness of parents teaching their children at home about 2 Wednesdays a month was at 70% with another 17% willing to give it a try. This opens the possibility of once or twice a month not having Wednesday class.
6) In the comments it was mentioned about having something after Sunday Mass. What are your thoughts of having a potluck in the church basement after Sunday Mass? This would allow families to socialize and get to know other families. It would need to be run by the parents. This would be a great addition. Whoever wants to come can come but if a family doesn't want to they don't have to.
We will keep you posted.
---------- Original Survey Post
Parents and grandparents, as we begin the new school year, as your pastor and at the recommendation of the parish pastoral council, I thought it would be good to put together a short survey to get an idea of what your preferences are on the topic of faith formation.
The whole point of faith formation is to pass the Catholic faith on to the children of our community, so that we can live as Christians, followers of Christ. This faith is summed up and points to the source and summit of our lives, namely the Holy Eucharist, Jesus, the Mystery of Faith. He is the source of our life and He is the summit. He is the goal all of us must have to enter into heaven. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6:51) In other words, the whole point of faith formation is not to pass on information, but rather to be formed in the faith which points us to the worship and adoration of God, to eat his flesh and drink his blood so that we can live with Him forever in heaven.
“I am the Lord your God… you shall not have other gods beside me.” (Exodus 20:2-3) This first commandment has been difficult to follow for peoples of all cultures and times, even for us. Nevertheless, God gives this commandment to us because we need to be reminded again and again of letting go of everything so as to come together and worship God. This means, we must let go of our jobs, sports, cattle, vacations, sleep, pride, grains, yardwork, internet and media, and so forth so that we can come before the living God present in the Church, at least on the Lord's Day. We will always be busy, and there will always be things that seem more important than God. And yet we must be willing to turn our lives towards God again and request of Him forgiveness of our sins. Turning toward Him refreshes us and allows Him to bring us to heaven.
This brings me to the survey. I would like your thoughts on what I plan to do and what I'm proposing. Keep in mind that these times of faith formation are in addition to the regular faith formation which happens in the context of Sunday Mass.
The survey is anonymous and there is also a place for comments and ideas at the end.
What we will be doing or continue to do:
On the first Wednesday of the month, in addition to the regular weekend confession times, I will be in the confessional at 6:00 – 6:25pm so that your family may have more opportunities to regularly receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. Then at 6:30pm I will offer Holy Mass. The whole family is invited to attend, fathers and mothers, in fact the whole parish is invited.
Mass will be about one half hour long with a homily directed more toward the children.
Following Mass, the children will go to the basement for games
At the same time, adult faith formation will be in the nave of the church for all parents and adults.
On the other Wednesdays 7-12 grades will meet in the evenings for faith formation. Like last year I will be with the 9-12 grades, with the help of Darci Schettler. Nathan Horgeshimer will be with the 7-8 grades. (Note it's likely that, on early out days, the 7-8 grades will meet right after public school)
What I’m proposing:
It has been difficult to find persons who are willing to teach a grade or two. Therefore, we have had to look at other options. This is what I propose. Let me know your thoughts.
The Meal: Once a month on Wednesday at 6:00 – 6:25 we would have a meal. All parents and children are invited to this meal. Then at 6:30 – 7:00 the parents would meet to watch a short video and discuss some aspect of our faith. At the same time, I would meet with the children in the church with the same topic or another. At 7:00 the children would play games in the church basement, or families could leave at this time if they wish. Of course, we would need help with setup and cleanup for the meal. We conclude at about 7 but parents and children are encouraged to hang around and visit or play games.
The Early Out: On all days when there is early out at the public school we will do what we did last year a couple of times. Grades 1-8 will come to the church when school gets out till about 3:00 for games, class, and a time before Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The parish would not be hosting faith formation for these grades in the evening on the same day.
Parents as Home Teachers: On the other Wednesdays then, the parish would not have faith formation for grades 1-6, unless we find qualified teachers to fill all the positions. Parents, the primary educators of their children will then be the only ones teaching their children the faith in addition to Sunday Mass and the two Wednesdays a month. Regardless whether the parish provides faith formation for these grades, it is the primary responsibility of parents to teach their children the faith by their words and living a daily prayer life, Sunday Mass, regular confession and following the commandments. The parish will provide a simple curriculum which I believe will help both parents and children.
I'm still undecided yet what we will be doing for those who wish to make their first Holy Communion. But I know I will continue to test the children of their readiness.
Here's the short survey:
Are you in favor of continuing Mass, etc. on Wednesday evening once a month? Yes No Undecided
Are you in favor of once a month having The Meal? Yes No I'm willing to give it a try I'm indifferent
If we have the meal, would you be willing to help with setup and cleanup for the meal? Yes No
Are you in favor of having children’s faith formation (grade 1-8) immediately following public school on all Early Out days? Yes No I'm indifferent
Would you be willing to be an adult supervisor for the children on days of Early Out? Yes No
Faith Formation for Grades 7 - 12 will continue to be in the evening from 6:30 to 7:30. If teachers can be found to continue faith formation classes for Grades 1-6, what time would work best for non-early-out days? 3:30 - 4:30 6:30 - 7:30 I'm Indifferent
Would you be willing to be a faith formation teacher, keeping in mind, a teacher must be striving to fully practicing the Catholic Faith? Yes. I'm available right after school from 3:30 - 4:30 Yes, I'm available for evening classes 6:30 - 7:30 No
Unless Parents are actively living the faith, studies show there is only a 3% chance that the child will live as a Christian when he or she becomes an adult. How open are you to having more adult faith formation for parents? Yes. I would attend I'm open to the idea, but I don't think I would attend. No. I wouldn't have time to attend.
How open are you to having a designated time at home, about two Wednesdays a month, to teach your children the faith instead of at the church? (The parish would provide a simple curriculum.) I’m very open This may be difficult with my busy schedule, but I could give it a try I'd prefer to have classes at the church every Wednesday